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EMERGENCY AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 

Aircraft Certification Service 

Washington, DC 

www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety/alerts/

U.S. Department

of Transportation

Federal Aviation

Administration

DATE: August 14, 2008 

AD #: 2008-17-51 

 This Emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) is prompted by three reports of in-flight 

failure of the forward directional control cable (control cable) and loss of yaw control resulting in 

emergency landings and subsequent damage to the MD900 helicopters. On November 14, 2007, one 

of the MD900 helicopters experienced failure of the control cable. The control cable had 186 hours 

time-in-service (TIS). On July 21, 2008, another MD900 helicopter experienced failure of the 

control cable. The helicopter had 55 hours TIS. We were investigating the cause of the control cable 

failures when we received notice of a third failure. Failure of the control cable could result in loss of 

yaw control and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. 

 We have reviewed MDHI Service Bulletin SB900-108R1, dated August 13, 2008, which 

describes procedures for magnetic particle inspecting and modifying the control cable and rotating 

cone control rod installation. 

 This unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of the same type 

design. Therefore, this AD requires the following before further flight: 

• Remove the rotating cone, the thruster extension, and the rotating cone control rod, and 

NAS1193K4CP lock device (2 parts). 

• Do a fluorescent magnetic particle inspection for a crack in the aft threads of the control cable. If 

you find a crack, replace the control cable with an airworthy part. If you do not find a crack, 

demagnetize the cable threads until you reach a gauss level of +/-3. 

• Visually inspect the aft cable attach bracket for a crack. Inspect for interference with the 

movement of the control cable or for deformation of the aft cable attach bracket. If a crack or 

interference with the movement of the control cable or deformation of the aft cable attach bracket 

exists, replace the bracket with an airworthy part. 

• Cut and modify the aft end of the control cable conduit. 

• Modify the rotating cone control rod by drilling lock wire holes. Using permanent ink, identify 

the rotating cone control rod with part number 900C2010582-105. 

• Inspect the control cable for proper adjustment. 

• Install the rotating cone control rod. 
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• Install the thruster extension. 

• Install the rotating cone. If you adjust the control cable at the attach brackets, inspect for 

interference with the movement of the control cable or for deformation of the aft cable attach bracket. 

If interference with the movement of the control cable or deformation of the aft cable attach bracket 

exists, replace the bracket with an airworthy part. 

• Rerig the antitorque directional control system. 

Do the actions by following specified portions of the service bulletin described previously. 

 This rule is issued under 49 U.S.C. Section 44701 pursuant to the authority delegated to me 

by the Administrator, and is effective immediately upon receipt of this emergency AD. 

2008-17-51 MD HELICOPTERS, INC.: Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-49-AD. 

Applicability: Model MD900 helicopters, serial numbers 900-00008 through 900-00128, 

with part number (P/N) 900C3010045-105 forward directional control cable (control cable), P/N 

900C2010582-103 rotating cone control rod, and P/N 9000F2318021 (all dash numbers) tailboom 

assembly, installed, certificated in any category. 

Compliance: Before further flight, unless done previously. 

 To prevent loss of yaw control and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, do the 

following: 

(a) Remove the rotating cone, the thruster extension, the rotating cone control rod, and the 

NAS1193K4CP lock device (2 parts). Do not reinstall the lock device. Use your hand and turn the 

telescopic part on the aft end of the control cable until it is fully forward on the control cable. 

 Note: The MDHI maintenance manuals CSP-900RMM-2, Sections 67-20-00, 29-00-00, 53-

40-00; CSP-SPM, Section 20-30-00; and CSP-900IPL-4 Illustrated Parts pertain to the subject of this 

AD. 

 (b) Do a fluorescent magnetic particle inspection for a crack in the aft threads of the control 

cable as depicted in Figure 2 and by following MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) Service Bulletin 

SB900-108R1, dated August 13, 2008, Section 2, Accomplishment Instructions (SB), paragraphs 

(5)(a) through 5(j). The inspection must be done by an inspector qualified under the guidelines 

established by MIL-STD-410E, ATA Specification 105, AIA-NAS-410, or an FAA-accepted 

equivalent for qualification standards of NDT Inspection/Evaluation Personnel. The inspector that 

accepts or rejects the inspected part must be certified to a Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) UT 

minimum Level II. The part must be inspected to the inspection facilities written procedure approved 

by a person certified to a Level III. For the magnetic particle examination process and qualifications, 

follow the American Society for Testing and Material (ASTM) E 1444. 

(1) If you find a crack, replace the control cable with an airworthy part. 
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 (2) If you do not find a crack, demagnetize the cable threads by following paragraphs (6)(a) 

or (6)(b) of the SB until you reach a gauss level of +/-3. 

 (c) Visually inspect the aft cable attach bracket, depicted in Figure 3 of the SB, for a crack. 

Inspect for interference with the movement of the control cable or for deformation of the aft cable 

attach bracket by following paragraphs (9)(a) through (9)(c) of the SB. If a crack or interference with 

the movement of the control cable or deformation of the aft cable attach bracket exists, replace the 

bracket with an airworthy part. 

 (d) Cut and modify the aft end of the control cable conduit as depicted in Figure 4 of the SB 

by following paragraphs (10)(a) through (10)(g) of the SB. 

 (e) Modify the rotating cone control rod by drilling lock wire holes as depicted in Figure 5 of 

the SB by following paragraphs (11)(a) through (11)(g) of the SB. Using permanent ink, mark the 

rotating cone control rod with “900C2010582-105.” 

 (f) Inspect the control cable for proper adjustment by following paragraphs (12)(a) through 

(12)(c), of the SB. 

 (g) Install the rotating cone control rod as depicted in Figure 6 of the SB by following 

paragraphs (13)(a) through (13)(c) of the SB. Make sure the control cable threads are past the 

witness hole in the rotating cone control rod. 

 (h) Install the thruster extension. 

 (i) Install the rotating cone. If you adjust the control cable at the attach brackets, inspect for 

interference with the movement of the control cable or for deformation of the aft cable attach bracket 

by following paragraph (15) of the SB. If interference with the movement of the control cable or 

deformation of the aft cable attach bracket exists, replace the bracket with an airworthy part. 

 (j) Rerig the antitorque directional control system. 

 (k) To request a different method of compliance or a different compliance time for this AD, 

follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Contact the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 

Office, FAA, ATTN: Eric D. Schrieber, Aviation Safety Engineer, Airframe Branch, 3960 

Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712, telephone 562-627-5348, fax 562-627-5210, for 

information about previously approved alternative methods of compliance. 

 (l) Special flight permits will not be issued. 

 (m) Copies of the applicable service information may be obtained from MD Helicopters Inc., 

Attn: Customer Support Division, 4555 E. McDowell Rd., Mail Stop M615, Mesa, Arizona 85215-

9734, telephone 1-800-388-3378, fax 480-346-6813, or on the web at www.mdhelicopters.com. 

 (n) Emergency AD 2008-17-51, issued August 14, 2008, becomes effective upon receipt. 
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric D. Schrieber, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft 

Certification Office, Aviation Safety Engineer, Airframe Branch, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, 

California 90712, telephone 562-627-5348, fax 562-627-5210 

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 14, 2008. 

Scott A. Horn, 

Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service.